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Femke Bol produced a masterclass in Tokyo on Friday, defending her 400m hurdles world title with a season-defining run. The Dutch superstar clocked 51.54 seconds, securing her second consecutive global crown. However, it wasn’t just her blistering performance that drew headlines—it was her candid admission about absent Olympic champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone that sent ripples through the athletics community.
Femke Bol retains title in dominant fashion
Bol crossed the line ahead of American Jasmine Jones, who set a personal best of 52.08 seconds, while Slovakia’s Emma Zapletalova clinched bronze in a national record of 53.00 seconds.
The victory capped off another extraordinary season for Femke Bol, who also went unbeaten through her sixth Diamond League campaign. For the 25-year-old, standing atop the podium once again was a proud moment, but she openly acknowledged that the competition felt incomplete without Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone.
Bold words on Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s absence
In her post-race remarks, Bol admitted that had McLaughlin-Levrone competed, the outcome might have been different.
"I most likely wouldn't be here with the gold medal but I really love to race her," said Femke Bol. "She's the best athlete to ever do it in my event so I would have loved to do it, but I also love to see her do so well in the 400 metres."
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone opted to skip the hurdles in Tokyo, focusing instead on the 400m flat race. The decision proved to be the right one, as she clocked the second-fastest time in history to take gold in Thursday’s final.
Rivalry that defines the event
The rivalry between Bol and McLaughlin-Levrone has become one of the most captivating storylines in track and field. At the Paris Olympics, McLaughlin-Levrone claimed the hurdles gold while Bol finished third. Similarly, Bol’s first world title in Budapest in 2023 came in the absence of the American, who was sidelined by injury.
Despite these circumstances, Femke Bol has never shied away from praising her rival’s brilliance. The Dutch runner even expressed her excitement about McLaughlin-Levrone’s possible future ambitions.
"If she feels physically ready for that, that would be amazing to see because I think if someone could pull it off, it would be her," Bol said when asked about Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s hint at attempting a 400m hurdles-flat double at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
While Bol’s victory adds another milestone to her glittering career, her bold comments underline the respect she has for McLaughlin-Levrone and the hunger to face her head-to-head on the biggest stage. Athletics fans may now be left eagerly awaiting the next showdown between two of the sport’s finest talents.
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